Clouded Leopard

The Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is a cat found from the Himalayan foothills through mainland Southeast Asia into China, and has been classified as vulnerable in 2008 by IUCN. Its total population size is suspected to be fewer than 10,000 mature individuals, with a decreasing population trend and no single population numbering more than 1,000 adults.[2]

Characteristics

Clouded leopards have a tan or tawny coat, and are distinctively marked with large, irregularly-shaped, dark-edged ellipses which are said to be shaped like clouds. This unique appearance gave the cat both its common and scientific species name — nebulosus is Latin for "cloudy". The clouded leopard was confusing to scientists for a long time because of its appearance and skeleton. It seemed to be a cross between a big cat and a small cat.

The average clouded leopard typically weighs between 15 and 23 kilograms (33 and 51 lb), and has a shoulder height of 25 to 40 centimetres (9.8 to 16 in).[3] Females have a head-body length varying from 68 to 94 centimetres (27 to 37 in), with a 61 to 82 centimetres (24 to 32 in) tail, while the males are larger at 81 to 108 centimetres (32 to 43 in) with a 74 to 91 centimetres (29 to 36 in) tail.[4] Clouded leopards have a heavy build and, proportionately, the longest canine teeth of any living felid — of 2 inches (5.1 cm), about the same as a tiger's.[5] These characteristics led early researchers to speculate that they preyed on large land-dwelling mammals.

The background color of clouded leopard fur ranges from yellow-brown to dark grey, with paler underparts. The sides and back of the animal are marked with numerous dark cloud-like blotches, which may be partly outlined in black. There are black spots on the head, underparts, and legs, and short black stripes on the neck; the backs of the ears are also black, and there are black rings on the tail. A few melanistic clouded leopards have been reported from Borneo, but this color phase is uncommon.[4]

As might be expected from the fact some of its prey lives in trees, the clouded leopard is an excellent climber. Short, flexible legs, large paws, and sharp claws combine to make it very sure-footed in the canopy. The clouded leopard's tail can be as long as its body, further aiding in balance, giving it a squirrel-like agility similar to the margay of South America. Surprisingly, this arboreal creature can climb while hanging upside-down under branches, and descend tree trunks head-first.[3] In captivity, the clouded leopard routinely hangs by its hind legs using its long tail for balance, and runs head-first down tree trunks. Little is known about its behavior in the wild, but it is assumed from this behavior that a favored hunting tactic is to drop on prey from the trees.

Subspecies

The clouded leopard, despite its name, is not closely related to the leopard. The clouded leopard is regarded as having three subspecies:

Distribution and habitat

The clouded leopard is found only in Southeast Asia, and ranges through southern China (at least as far north as Wuyi Shan), the eastern Himalayas, western Malaysia, Nepal, northeast India, Bangladesh, and Indochina.[4] It is thought to be extinct in Taiwan. The last confirmed sighting of a clouded leopard in Taiwan was in 1989, when the skin from a small leopard was found in the Taroko area. This subspecies was characterized by its relatively much shorter tail.

The preferred habitat of clouded leopards is tropical and subtropical forests at altitudes up to about 2,000 metres (6,600 ft). They are sometimes found, however, in mangrove swamps and grassland. The clouded leopard lives in temperatures from 18-49 degrees Celsius (65 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit).[citation needed]

Behavior and diet

Because of the animal's reclusive nature, the behavior of the clouded leopard in the wild is little known. With no evidence for a pack or pride society like that of the lion, it is assumed that it is a generally solitary creature, and it appears to be primarily nocturnal. Clouded leopards are largely arboreal, hunting prey in the trees, and also using trees to rest during the day. However, they spend a significant proportion of their time on the ground, and sometimes inhabit environments without tall trees.[4]

Clouded leopards have been observed to scent mark in captivity, for example by urine spraying and head-rubbing on prominent objects. Presumably such habits are used to mark their territory in the wild, although the size of their home ranges is unknown. Like other big cats, they do not appear able to purr, but they otherwise have a wide range of vocalisations, including mewing, hissing, growling, moaning, and snorting.[4]

Though remarkably little is known about the natural history and behavioral habits of this species in the wild, it is now thought that its primary prey includes both arboreal and terrestrialmammals, particularly deer, supplemented by similarly sized prey such as monkeys, civets, birds, porcupines, and domestic livestock.[4] Clouded leopards that are held in captivity also eat eggs and some vegetation.

Breeding and life history

Face, close up

Females give birth to a litter of 2 to 4 cubs after a gestation period of about 85 to 93 days.[3] Initially, the young are blind and helpless, much like the young of many other cats, and weigh from 140 to 280 grams (4.9 to 9.9 oz). Unlike adults, the kittens' spots are "solid"—completely dark rather than dark rings. The young can see within about 10 days of birth, are active within 5 weeks, and are fully weaned at around three month of age.[4]

Clouded leopards attain the adult coat pattern at around six months, and probably become independent after around ten months. They reach sexual maturity at two years of age, and females are able to bear one litter each year.[4] Adults in captivity have lived as long as 17 years;[7] in the wild, they have an average 11 year lifespan.[citation needed]

Captive breeding programs met with little success in their early stages, largely due to ignorance of courtship activity among these cats in the wild. Experience has taught keepers that introducing pairs of clouded leopards at a young age gives opportunities for the pair to bond and breed successfully. Introducing pairs as older adults may cause the animals such stress that the male may kill the female.[3] Normally, the clouded leopard is not an aggressive animal, except to prey.

Modern breeding programs involve carefully regulated introductions between prospective mating pairs and take into account the requirements for enriched enclosures. Providing these animals with adequate space to permit climbing stimulates natural behaviour and minimizes stress. This, combined with a feeding program that fulfills the proper dietary requirements, has promoted more successful breeding in recent years. Cats born in captivity may one day supplement threatened populations in the wild.

Threats

Many of the remaining forest areas are too small to ensure the long-term persistence of clouded leopard populations.[8] They are threatened by habitat loss following large–scale deforestation and commercial poaching for the wildlife trade. Skins, claws and teeth are offered for decoration and clothing, bones and meat as substitute for tiger in traditional Asian medicines and tonics, and live animals for the pet trade. Few poaching incidents have been documented, but all range states are believed to have some degree of commercial poaching. In recent years, substantial domestic markets existed in Indonesia, Myanmar and Vietnam.[9][10] In Myanmar, 301 body parts of at least 279 clouded leopards, mostly skins and skeletons, were observed in four markets surveyed between 1991 to 2006. Three of the surveyed markets are situated on international borders with China and Thailand, and cater to international buyers, although clouded leopards are completely protected under Myanmar's national legislation. Effective implementation and enforcement of CITES is considered inadequate.[11]

Conservation

A clouded leopard resting atop a tree trunk at the Toronto Zoo.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates that fewer than 10,000 mature individuals exist, but reliable estimates of the effective population do not exist.[2] Only seven clouded leopards have ever been radio collared and their territorial movements monitored and recorded. Most of these cats were studied in Thailand and Nepal. Other available information on their ecology is anecdotal, based on local interviews and a few sighting reports, or stems from captive animals.[8] Very little is known of their natural history, ecology and behavior in the wild throughout their range, because due to their largely arboreal and nocturnal habits they are difficult to study.